Giants vs Saints: Fennelly's Keys to Victory

By John Fennelly | Dec 9, 2012 | 9:16AM

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The Giants' defense faces another unenviable challenge this afternoon when Drew Brees brings his aerial show to MetLife Stadium. This matchup has given the Giants fits the past few seasons since Brees took over as Saints' QB.

In those three games, New Orleans defeated the Giants by scores of 30-7, 48-27 and 49-24. In each f those contests, the Giants found themselves flatfooted and out of place on defense while the offense sputtered in its attempt to keep up with Brees.

This time around, the Saints (5-7) are not the team they have been the past few seasons. Bountygate saw to that. Without head coach Sean Payton on the sidelines to shift gears for the offense, they have had some issues in both the play calling and time management.

Don't let that throw you. Brees has this offense down pat and he still has plenty of weapons. They can open this Giants' defense up early and often this afternoon. The Giants have no answers for TE Jimmy Graham and RB Darren Sproles.

Graham is a basketball forward in a football uniform. He'll get every jump ball. You have to foul him if you want to take it away. Sproles may be the best receiving RB in the league. The best the Giants can do here is limit the amount the plays in which they get to touch the ball.

All of that aside, the Saints have lost their last two and have only scored 13 and 21 points in the process. They can be beaten.

How the Giants can win.....

Offense

1. Score. Duh. The Saints are last in the NFL in defense. The Giants have to hang 35-40 points on this defense today. If they don't, shame on them. Don't punt. Tie Steve Weatherford to the goal post. Be aggressive, get into the green zone and go 5-5 like they did against Green Bay. You are the Super Bowl champions. Play like it.

2. Mix it up. New Orleans hasn't done too many things well on defense. That's obvious. Their main flaw being they can't stop the run. The Giants must stay patient in the run game. It will open up.

3. Get physical. It's sense of urgency time. The offensive line is hurting, but for the Giants to be successful, they have to win in the trenches. The physicality does not end with them. The entire offense needs to mix it up. Hakeem Nicks is hurting, but Domenik Hixon is back. If Hixon is right he needs to be on the field. Ramses Barden should get more snaps, too. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz are great receivers, but they don't block very well. It's a team effort. Use your strengths.

Defense

1. Cover. Yeah, I know, pressure should be No.1. It is, that's why we stopped listing it. It's inferred. If you don't get pressure you're in trouble, period. The Falcons managed to cover the Saints' wideouts with backup corners last week. They pressed a bit, but not too much. The Giants have to press more on the corners. They don't do it well, but they have to start. Otherwise, Brees will hit 10-15 yard passes all day long.

2. Bottle up WR Lance Moore. Perhaps the most underrated offensive player in the league. Most teams gameplan for Graham, Sproles and WR Marques Colston. Then Sunday comes and Moore kills them. Hopefully, the Giants haven't overlooked him.

3. Physical. Again, I can't stress this enough. The Giants have to start knocking opponents off their pins. The Saints, like Green Bay, are a finesse team. They need to be the bully today. Last week, Atlanta forced Brees into five INTs. New York has to do something similar today.

Special Teams

1. Field Position. Last week against the Redskins, the Giants began each drive deep in their own territory. Their best start was their own 24. No good. I realize penalties had a great deal to do with that, but they have to do better. Plain and simple.

2. Don't miss. Last week, Lawrence Tynes missed a 43-yard FG that loomed large in the one-point loss in DC. The snap was bad, but what a time to miss one. All opportunities going forward will be crucial.

Intangibles

It's going to be raining here this afternoon. That cannot favor the Saints, who play a minimum of nine dome games per year (and another in Tampa). This could force the game to become one where the rushing games take over.

Last season, GM Dave Gettleman decided to take a risk in the supplemental draft, and select CB Sam Beal out of Western Michigan. And many lauded the move despite it costing the Giants' a third-round pick this season.

First, the Giants needed cornerback depth behind Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple, and Beal was said to be the best supplemental draft pick since Josh Gordon. So why not take the risk?

Well, it didn't work out so well for the Grand Rapids, MI native in his rookie season. In one of his first practices with his new team, Beal aggravated a shoulder condition the team was aware of when they drafted him. Instead of trying to rehab it, he underwent season-ending surgery to repair it.

Landon Collins was allowed to walk into free agency, and is now circling his calendar twice for the next six years with the Redskins for his revenge tour. Odell Beckham Jr. is now a Brown in what was the most surprising trade of the year. And Olivier Vernon joined him in a not-so-surprising trade to Cleveland.

All of this came after GM Dave Gettleman traded Eli Apple and Damon "Snacks" Harrison to the Saints and Lions respectively before the trade deadline last season. There is one Giant, though, that survived through the roster carnage.

John Mara on state of the Giants: 'We're moving in the right direction'

Big Blue co-owner optimistic about future, Daniel Jones

By John Healy | May 21 | 6:25PM

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John Mara, owner of the New York Giants, during a press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center to introduce Pat Shurmur as new head coach. (Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports)

Giants co-owner John Mara has heard all the criticism toward his team this offseason, but he is not entertaining any of it.

In his first comments since the NFL Draft, Mara, who was in Florida for owners meetings on Tuesday, said he likes where his team is headed despite the frustrations the fan base may hold.

"Absolutely, I think we're moving in the right direction," he told Bob Glauber of Newsday. "I certainly don't think we're a finished product yet, but I am happy with the direction of the team, contrary to popular opinion."

When RT Mike Remmers signed with the Giants, it didn't come as a surprise.

The veteran tackle visited with the team twice, and with his connections to head coach Pat Shumur and GM Dave Gettleman having played under them over his career, it seemed like a no-brainer.

That's why when the signing finally came true, fans were most likely saying, "It's about time." For Remmers, who was sitting in free agency awaiting a call from his next time, he was basically thinking the same thing.

Safety signed record six-year, $84 million with Redskins this offseason

May 21 | 11:37AM

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Dec 2, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) reacts after being called for pass interference during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

When it comes to the Giants' roster, Dave Gettleman has made it a point to eliminate what he perceives as "distractions."

The general manager and former safety Landon Collins appear to have different definitions of the word.

Collins, now with NFC East rival Washington, told ESPN's Jordan Raanan the reason he, Olivier Vernon and Odell Beckham Jr. were not brought back because they provided too much of a presence in the locker room.

Giants' Eli Manning talks Daniel Jones, NFL future at OTAs

Manning says mentor role is nothing new to him

May 20 | 2:02PM

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Manning on pressure & mentoring00:02:12

Manning answered questions after the first OTA session about whether he feels more pressure with Daniel Jones and mentoring him.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur may have said that Eli Manning is the team's starting quarterback, but the 38-year-old spent more time answering questions about Daniel Jones than the upcoming season after Monday's OTA.

It was the first time Manning and Jones took the field together since the Giants drafted the Duke quarterback with the sixth overall pick in April's NFL Draft, and afterward Manning was asked about the dynamic between him and the future franchise quarterback, particularly if he is comfortable mentoring the soon-to-be 22-year-old rookie.

"I think I've been doing that the last 11, 12 years," Manning said. "I don't know when you become a mentor, or when that's official. I think if you've been in the league longer than any guy in the quarterback room I think you should be a mentor in that sense where if you know a little bit more and be helpful.

Giants' Pat Shurmur discusses the Daniel Jones/Eli Manning dynamic

'I think it's a really, really good quarterback room'

By Danny Abriano | May 20 | 12:06PM

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Best of Giants OTAs00:00:32

Giants hit the field for the first official practice of OTAs this season. Highlights include Daniel Jones and Eli Manning passing.

Barring something unforeseen, Eli Manning will be the Giants' starting QB when they face the Cowboys in Week 1 in Dallas on Sept. 8 -- no matter how many times Pat Shurmur said Monday that Daniel Jones needs to get ready to potentially play Week 1.

"I view the quarterback position -- you have a starter in Eli, guys behind him and specifcally Daniel Jones that needs to do everything he can to get ready to play Week 1," Shurmur said Monday when asked if it was an open competition. "And that's where we're at."

Earlier today, the NFL announced a six-game suspension for Arizona Cardinals shutdown cornerback Patrick Peterson, who violated the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Peterson has dropped his appeal and will serve the full six-game suspension.

The Giants signed sixth-round pick Corey Ballentine, the defensive back who was shot the morning after he was drafted, to a rookie contract, the team announced Thursday.

Ballentine missed rookie mini-camp while he was recovering from a gunshot wound to the glute in a shooting that left his friend and former Washburn teammate Dwane Simmons dead.

Ballentine, who is expected to make a full recovery, joined the Giants earlier this week for the first time. The Giants told him to spend time with friends and family as he recovered from the non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The team formally announced the signing Tuesday, and the expectation is that the 30-year-old will assume the starting right tackle job in a revamped right side of the line that includes guard Kevin Zeitler.

SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reported last week the deal is a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Remmers is guaranteed $1 million and also has another $1.5 million in incentives, which would make the deal worth a maximum of $4 million.

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Giants draft pick Corey Ballentine joins team for first time since shooting

Ballentine missed rookie mini-camp as he recovered from a gunshout wound

Giants draft pick Corey Ballentine joined his teammates for the first time on Monday since he was wounded in a shooting the morning after he was drafted, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The defensive back out of Washburn, who was selected by the Giants in the sixth round, was shot in the glute and had missed rookie mini-camp from May 3-5 despite being released from the hospital. The Giants told him to spend time with his friends and family as he recovered from the non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Ballentine's friend and former teammate, Dwane Simmons, was killed in the shooting. The two were leaving a party when strangers asked them if they had marijuana on them. After telling them no, the strangers left but returned minutes later and shot both men.

Big Blue agreed in principle to a deal with free agent Mike Remmers on Saturday, his agent announced on Twitter and confirmed he will be moving back to his natural position of right tackle.

SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed the deal as a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Remmers will get $1 million fully guaranteed, and have another $1.5 million in incentives to bring the maximum value up to $4 million.

The football world couldn't believe their eyes this offseason when the Giants traded away Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns. Giants GM Dave Gettleman said on multiple occasions they "didn't sign him to trade him," but here they were getting Jabrill Peppers, the Browns' first-rounder, and a third-rounder in exchange for the dynamic wide receiver.

But while everyone tried to come to grips with the biggest move of the offseason, another former Giant in Landon Collins wasn't the least bit surprised Beckham and the Giants parted ways.

"Was I shocked with Odell? No, honestly, not," Collins told NJ.com's Ryan Dunleavy. "They felt like he was a problem the whole time. Ever since Odell stepped into the league with them, they felt like he was a problem, I felt like from the outside."

Landon Collins surprised Giants took Daniel Jones over Dwayne Haskins

Collins and Haskins ready to "tear up" Giants with Redskins now

Dec 2, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) reacts after being called for pass interference during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

From the beginning of the offseason to the start of the 2019 NFL Draft, Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins has been linked to the Giants with their No. 6 overall pick. But, as the weeks turned into days, reports that Duke QB Daniel Jones was "their guy" which shifted perspective about that first pick.

But as Big Blue went on the clock down in Nashville, former Giants S Landon Collins was certain it was going to be Haskins who got the call. Instead, he was seen back home in Maryland shaking his head as Jones walked his way on stage to take the jersey from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

A few picks later, though, Haskins found himself in the same boat as Collins this offseason: Two suspected Giants turned Redskins.

Landon Collins on leaving Giants: 'They never made an offer'

Collins said he was "heartbroken," pictured himself with Giants for career

That's how Landon Collins felt when the Giants didn't want him back this offseason. He had become a mainstay on the Giants' defense, a hard-hitting safety that led the team in tackles for the four seasons he wore the blue and white.

But that will change in 2019 when he wears a division rival's colors in the Redskins, who signed the Pro Bowler to a lucrative six-year, $84 million deal. While Collins accepts the new threads he'll don this season, he does admit it was hard to let go from the franchise that drafted him with the first pick of the second round back in 2015.

When Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert walked to the podium during coaches availability on Wednesday, it was expected the slew of Odell Beckham Jr. questions were going to come his way. But with him now on the Browns, Tolbert wanted to talk about who he actually will be coaching in the new season.

"I'm going to say this about Odell, I don't want this to be an Odell Q/A," Tolbert said affirmatively. "Odell was a great player for us, with the Giants. We all love Odell, we respect him as a player and wish him nothing but the best with the Cleveland Browns."

For the Giants, though, it isn't as simple as replacing Beckham in the offense this season. He had over 1,000 yards receiving in four of the last five seasons, and was Eli Manning's favorite target when he was on the field.

'If he can help us win, he'll help us win like every other draft pick'

May 9 | 11:23AM

For as many headlines as the Giants' pick of quarterback Daniel Jones made on draft night, he's just one of the players now.

"You don't say anything. He doesn't say anything. He comes into work every single day," safety Michael Thomas said, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, about how the team is accepting him. "So, nah, Daniel Jones is one of our teammates now. If he can help us win, he'll help us win like every other draft pick."

Chad Wheeler, who struggled, is at the top of the depth chart

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the only man the Giants added to their depth chart at right tackle was seventh-rounder George Asafo-Adjei. Many saw GM Dave Gettleman going after a tackle higher in the draft, but that wasn't the case as more defensive reinforcements found their way to the Giants.

Chad Wheeler, then, is the Giants' starting right tackle as training camp inches closer by the day. He struggled last season manning the right side, earning a 47.4 Pro Football Focus grade, which is considered below average.

So are the Giants settled with their right tackle despite it potentially being their weak spot again? Offensive line coach Hal Hunter doesn't seem worried. He'll work with whoever comes into training camp on Day 1.

DC James Bettcher not complaining about Giants drafting Daniel Jones

Josh Allen was still undrafted, but Gettleman gave Bettcher more piece to work with

Sep 30, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher coaches against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The top of the first round was shaping up like a dream for James Bettcher. As the sixth overall pick got closer and closer, there were still a couple of prized, elite defensive players on the board.

And yes, the Giants defensive coordinator wanted them. He had his eyes on Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen and Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Those two have Pro Bowl potential, according to many scouts. They could've changed the makeup of the Giants' defense.

What defensive coordinator wouldn't have wanted one of them instead of Duke quarterback Daniel Jones?

Here are the Giants' odds to win NFC East in 2019

They're not good

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley scores a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. (Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)

After trading Odell Beckham Jr. and letting Landon Collins walk, the Giants' odds to win Super Bowl LIV dropped from 50/1 to 80/1, and their fresh odds to win the NFC East are right in line with the above expectations.

Big Blue has 16/1 odds to win the division this season, per BetOnline.ag -- the worst odds of the four teams in the NFC East.

The Eagles are the even bet at 1/1, the Cowboys have 5/4 odds, and the Redskins are 10/1.

Sixteen new players were drafted by the Jets and Giants two weeks ago, and both teams are confident they landed an outstanding class. Of course, it's early and they won't know for sure until training camp begins which of their rookies will be able to immediately help them out.

It's not hard to project, though, based on talent and - perhaps most importantly - opportunity. So here's a look at the 16 members of the Giants and Jets Draft Class of 2019, ranked in the order they're expected to make an impact on New York football this year.

The Giants did not have a lot of salary cap space, so this offseason was always going to be about the draft for them. Anything else they added was likely come out of the bargain bin of free agency.

And their bargain shopping is about to begin.

Starting on Tuesday, the Giants figure to be in the market for a right tackle, maybe an edge rusher, and probably plenty of depth, when the free-agent signing period heats back up again. That's the first day that free-agent signings do not count against the NFL's compensatory draft pick formula, which determines comp picks for the next draft, and takes into account free agent signings, losses, money spent and performance. Any player a team signs Tuesday won't count against his new team.

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One team reportedly inquired about Giants' Daniel Jones as tight end

Instead Jones is now successor to Eli Manning

May 6 | 10:00AM

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Daniel Jones is selected as the No. 6 overall pick to the New York Giants in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft in Downtown Nashville. (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

While some believe the Giants reached by taking Duke QB Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft, there is reportedly at least one team that was not sure he was good enough to be a quarterback.

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, there was one team that wanted to work out Jones as a tight end at the combine because they did not think he was good enough to be an NFL starting quarterback.

While it is not uncommon for coaches to suggest moving players to a different position, Jones was never really thought of in this matter publicly before the draft despite some skepticism he was worthy of a first-round pick.

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Giants sign former Rutgers punter Ryan Anderson

Michigan native was first team All-Big Ten in 2017

May 5 | 2:45PM

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A general view of a New York Giants helmet on the turf before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

Ryan Anderson has already enjoyed one successful season in northern New Jersey. Will he have the chance for another one?

The Giants signed the former Rutger punter Sunday after a tryout during rookie minicamp last week. Anderson punted for the Scarlet Knights during the 2017 season as a graduate transfer.

Before landing at Rutgers, the lefty kicker played Division II ball at Saginaw Valley State in his native Michigan and spent his junior and senior seasons at Division III Olivet. For the Scarlet Knights, Anderson set the all-time single-season punting average mark (44.4 yards per attempt), was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list and earned first team All-Big Ten honors.

Coming into the 2019 NFL Draft, the Giants needed to address their pass rush. Ranking 30th in the league last year just doesn't cut it, and with Olivier Vernon -- the team's best option off the edge -- traded to the Browns this offseason, it became that much more of a priority.

And when Josh Allen, arguably the best edge rusher in the Draft, fell to the Giants at No. 6, it seemed liker a no-brainer. But GM Dave Gettleman wanted his quarterback of the future in Daniel Jones, and made their pick. Montez Sweat was also on the board at No. 16, but Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence heard his name called instead.

It wasn't until the third round that the Giants got their edge rusher in Oshane Ximines, the first player to ever be drafted out of Old Dominion. He may be from a small school, but he totaled 32.5 sacks over his four-year career with the Monarchs.

Manning was seemingly unfazed by the decision to draft his successor

By John Healy | May 4 | 1:15PM

Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones talks about Day 2 of rookie minicamp, and coach Pat Shurmur chats about the work of Jones and Eli Manning

Nothing ever seems to faze Eli Manning.

Giants GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur had called their 38-year-old starting quarterback to let him know they were about to draft his eventual successor, Daniel Jones, with the sixth overall pick in the draft.

On Saturday, Shurmur was asked about Manning's response to that decision.

Both first-rounders are confident their styles of play will translate quickly

May 3 | 2:52PM

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Baker and Lawrence talk Big Blue00:00:50

Giants 1st round picks DeAndre Baker and Dexter Lawrence meet the media at rookie minicamp and talk about what they will bring to Big Blue.

The Giants' rookies were front and center at Quest Diagnostics Training Facility in East Rutherford on Friday morning, as they were introduced to the New York media for the first time face-to-face.

And one of the first questions that come their way is how they play on the gridiron. For the 16th overall pick in DT Dexter Lawrence, he doesn't just consider himself simply a brute force in the trenches that his career at Clemson showcased.

"Smart, physical, instinctive defensive lineman," Lawrence said. "Tough, none quitting dude. Just ready to work, work every day and be great."

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6 takeaways from Giants QB Daniel Jones' introductory presser

The first-round draft pick speaks to media at rookie mini-camp

By John Healy | May 3 | 12:42PM

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Giants introduce Daniel Jones00:01:20

Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones meets the media at rookie minicamp and addresses the people who think the Giants shouldn't have drafted him.

Daniel Jones officially began his first day of work with the New York Giants as rookie mini-camp started in East Rutherford on Friday.

The Giants' sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was introduced to the media and spoke for the first time since he was being drafted.

Here are the takeaways from what he had to say:

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WATCH: Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones on expectations

Jones joins SNY to discuss being a Giant and learning from Eli Manning

May 3 | 2:37PM

Giants rookie QB and sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft, Daniel Jones, goes 1-on-1 with SNY's Pat Leonard about his expectations as a rookie, what it means to him to join Big Blue and also learning behind two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning.

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Details on Giants QB Daniel Jones' conversation about New York reunion with Zion Williamson

Could two Duke stars reunite in New York?

May 3 | 12:19PM

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Duke Blue Devils forward Zion Williamson looks on during player introductions prior to the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. (Rob Kinnan/USA TODAY Sports)

One New York team drafted a tall Duke star in the first round.

Will the Knicks be the second?

The Knicks will find out on May 14 whether they win the draft lottery (and ultimately the Zion Williamson sweepstakes), but for now, New York has one former Blue Devil who may be the next face of the franchise: Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.

GM's attempt to rationalize pick has resulted in more criticism

By John Healy | May 3 | 9:57AM

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman speaks to the media during the 2019 NFL Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center. (Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)

Giants GM Dave Gettleman spent most of the NFL Draft defending his selection of Duke QB Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick -- which has arguably made the criticism worse.

Per ESPN's Mike Sando, who spoke with executives, coaches and talent evaluators around the league, many seem confused by Gettleman's difficulty to rationalize the pick.

On a scale of most objectionable to least objectionable thing the Giants have done, the most was passing on Sam Darnold in favor of Saquon Barkley last year, but the least was taking Jones sixth overall once they decided that he was their guy.

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Daniel Jones won't be the only quarterback at Giants rookie minicamp

QB one of Big Blue's 13 UDFAs one week after drafting Jones at No. 6

May 3 | 11:13AM

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Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Daniel Jones (Duke) is selected as the number six overall pick to the New York Giants and poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2019 NFL Draft in Downtown Nashville. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports (Kirby Lee)

One week after the Giants made the controversial decision to select Duke quarterback Daniel Jones at No. 6 overall, they added another rookie QB to the fold.

Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey is one of 13 undrafted free-agent signings the Giants announced ahead of this weekend's rookie minicamp.